450 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Life History. — In grains, the eggs are deposited on the outsides of 



or between the kernels in the head or on the cob. They are laid in the 

 field in late summer and fall, but in storehouses egg-laying may continue 



throughout the year. As soon as the 

 young hatch they bore a very minute hole 

 and work their way into the interior of 

 the kernel. In wheat and barley only one 

 individual occupies the interior, while in 

 corn there may be several or many. The 

 larval and pupal stages are passed within 

 the kernel, which is completely destroyed. 

 1 he adult insect emerges - through a small 

 circular hole cut in the thin wall and 

 escapes to mate, soon to start other broods. 

 The life cycle occupies about forty days, 

 there being many overlapping broods a 

 year. In bins of grain, breeding is very 

 rapid and great destruction is wrought in 

 a very short time. 



Nature of Work. — The larva works 

 within the kernel, entirely destroying the 

 interior and leaving a small round exit 

 hole. 



Distributio n. — This moth occurs 

 throughout the southern and central 

 parts of the State. 



Food Plants. — As the common name 

 infers, this moth attacks grains, including 

 barley, wheat and corn. 



Control. — The crops should be har- 

 vested as soon as possible to prevent in- 

 festation in the field. For treatment in storage, see same under granary 

 weevil, page 307. 



Fig. 459.- — Ear of corn show- 

 ing the exit holes of the Angou- 

 mois grain moth, Sitotroga cere- 

 alella (Oliv. ). Slightly reduced. 

 Specimen received from O. E. 

 Bremner, Santa Rosa. (Original) 



THE CALIFORNIA CASE-BEARER 

 Goleophora sacramenta Heinrich 818 (Family Elachistidse) 



(Figs. 460, 461) 



Description. — The cases in which the larva? and pupa? are concealed 

 are iridescent black with golden or yellow markings around the large 

 or anterior end, which is curved under. The case is widened at the 

 anterior end with the sides folded in and under, as shown in Fig. 460. 

 The shape apparently does not change at all. The bottom is flat, 

 allowing the case to lie close against the leaf. The length is j\ inch. 

 The adults (Fig. 461) are small, slender, delicate white moths. The 

 fore wings are white and faintly peppered with brown scales. The hind 

 wings are dull lead-gray. The joints of the antenna? are alternately 

 marked white and black, resembling a row of alternating white and 

 black beads. The females are about | inch long. 



3,s This new species was discovered and collected by Leroy Childs and named by 

 Mr. Carl Heinrich through the kindness of Dr. L. O. Howard and Mr. A. Busck. 

 (Insec. Insci. Mens. IT, p. 145, 1910.) 



